Search found 426 matches

by Jimmie
Mon Jan 13, 2020 8:30 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Financial Consultants?
Replies: 18
Views: 2017

Re: Financial Consultants?

JoeRetire wrote: Mon Jan 13, 2020 8:16 pm Perhaps you have an unusual definition of the term "fiduciary"?
Nope. My definition of fiduciary is a legal obligation of one party to act in the best interest of another.

FA's that charge AUM and claim to be fiduciaries really don't meet that standard. What obligation do they have to ensure you make the best investment decisions if they make of percentage of your investments regardless of how those investments perform? This is a conflict of interest if ever there was one.

What are you paying in AUM to your fiduciary?
by Jimmie
Sun Jan 12, 2020 11:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Humidifier Installation - Using AC water line as water source
Replies: 18
Views: 1655

Re: Humidifier Installation - Using AC water line as water source

StuDent1 wrote: Sun Jan 12, 2020 11:51 am My only fear is that water line freezing during the winter, but I am hopeful that since it will be running most all winter, that the water will not be still enough to freeze, and I will insulate that line as well to keep that from happening.
Consider heat tracing the pipe. Simply insulating a cold pipe in a cold area doesn't prevent freezing.
by Jimmie
Sun Jan 12, 2020 11:07 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: College Reunion Destination
Replies: 49
Views: 4110

Re: College Reunion Destination

So many good suggestions so far. IMHO, you can't go wrong with almost any city in this great country, particularly if you do some research.

Speaking of that, be sure to research the potential city for any special events that may complicate your visit. For example, I did work in Omaha for several months. Travel to that city during the College World Series was a mess. Restaurants and hotels were packed. Unless you go to the games, it cripples all other venues.
by Jimmie
Sun Jan 12, 2020 10:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: College Reunion Destination
Replies: 49
Views: 4110

Re: College Reunion Destination

All this talk about heat and mugginess. These guys are in their thirties and will be sitting around bars and breweries in shorts. :oops:

Even if the venues are outdoor patios, it's tolerable. I'd do it and I'm twice that age.
by Jimmie
Sun Jan 12, 2020 8:21 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Financial Consultants?
Replies: 18
Views: 2017

Re: Financial Consultants?

Your concerns are understandable. I wondered the same things since I handle my own investments.

The confusion lies when FA's advertise as "fee only" when they may charge fees for hourly consultations AND fees for assets under management. I have read and believe that this is a conflict of interest. This, in my opinion, is not a fiduciary since they make money off your investments, no matter how they perform. Even the firms that say "when you make money, we make money" still make money when you lose money if your funds are under their management.

I think to find the FA you want, you need to search for both "fiduciary" and "flat-fee", not "fee only". They are different.
by Jimmie
Fri Jan 10, 2020 1:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Jumper cables
Replies: 83
Views: 7216

Re: Jumper cables

I agree w/ Yooper. The thicker the cables, the better. You're trying to transfer hundreds of amps of current, and this is where you need thick wire (lower gauge == better). With cheap/thin jumper cables, you can't directly jump it but instead need to leave it connected for several minutes to try and charge the dead battery. With thick cables, you can just directly start the engine. +1 With low voltages like 12 volts in an automotive system coupled with high current, the loss of power in a long run of thin cable is significant. The fact that power transmission lines are high voltage at lower current to reduce IR loss is no engineering accident. Don't break Ohm's Law. :D False. Go to the following website and see the voltage drop in the foll...
by Jimmie
Thu Jan 09, 2020 8:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Jumper cables
Replies: 83
Views: 7216

Re: Jumper cables

random_walker_77 wrote: Thu Jan 09, 2020 7:47 pm I agree w/ Yooper. The thicker the cables, the better. You're trying to transfer hundreds of amps of current, and this is where you need thick wire (lower gauge == better).

With cheap/thin jumper cables, you can't directly jump it but instead need to leave it connected for several minutes to try and charge the dead battery. With thick cables, you can just directly start the engine.
+1

With low voltages like 12 volts in an automotive system coupled with high current, the loss of power in a long run of thin cable is significant. The fact that power transmission lines are high voltage at lower current to reduce IR loss is no engineering accident. Don't break Ohm's Law. :D
by Jimmie
Tue Jan 07, 2020 9:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How do YOU make coffee?
Replies: 342
Views: 30270

Re: How do YOU make coffee?

ddurrett896 wrote: Thu Feb 28, 2019 4:00 pm
lexie2000 wrote: Thu Feb 28, 2019 3:03 pm
Can someone explain to me the whole K-cups thing. No offense to people who like them (like my sister), but I just don't get it. The coffee doesn't seem to be any better (to me), they are expensive, and isn't there a lot of packaging waste?
Convenience.
Not to mention for guests (or yourself) you can make regular coffee, decaf, all kinds of varieties of tea, hot chocolate, and cider.
by Jimmie
Sat Jan 04, 2020 12:30 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Now is a good time to start tracking your net worth.
Replies: 123
Views: 13642

Re: Now is a good time to start tracking your net worth.

occambogle wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2020 12:13 am I also joined PlanVision very recently.... so far only set up the Interactive Brokers acccount. Did you use the eMoney site available through PlanVision for tracking? I've yet to do that and just wondering if it's useful or not....
I set up just about everything so far in eMoney. You have the choice to link accounts or enter information manually. Be sure to follow the instructions from PlanVision since they have access to more settings as the advisor than you as the user. Be aware of the limitations like setting dates of when SS is taken. You can't, but they can. The default seems to be 62.
by Jimmie
Wed Jan 01, 2020 7:12 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sister wants advice since I disagreed with her financial advisers.
Replies: 141
Views: 15693

Re: Sister wants advice since I disagreed with her financial advisers.

Regarding fees, my argument with people who say: "A percentage point or two is nothing. I'm making way more that that" is done by using a mortgage analogy.

Anyone with a 3.5% mortgage compared to 5.5% will save a significant amount of money over a 30 year term. Turn that around to be investment fees of about 2%. However, an investment horizon might be 40+ years, reinforcing the argument.

Compound interest is compound interest. Period. The math never lies.
by Jimmie
Wed Jan 01, 2020 6:25 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Now is a good time to start tracking your net worth.
Replies: 123
Views: 13642

Re: Now is a good time to start tracking your net worth.

If you are not already tracking your net worth now is a good time to start tracking it. I have a very simple spreadsheet that I update each year on January 1st and I have been doing this for 16 years now. It only takes me about 15 minutes to enter my account balances, any debts, and estimates of things like my house and car values. This really helps me to see my progress over the years and at least for me only doing it once a year really helps me avoid the noise of seeing it more frequently. I also go over this with my wife to make sure that she knows the current situation and this is important since I normally do most of the finances in out household. I do all this, except the part where I go over the details with your wife, since we've n...
by Jimmie
Wed Jan 01, 2020 6:10 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Sister wants advice since I disagreed with her financial advisers.
Replies: 141
Views: 15693

Re: Sister wants advice since I disagreed with her financial advisers.

Bobby206 wrote: Wed Jan 01, 2020 6:05 pm I would argue the counter that they should keep everything at Ed Jones. The accounts are so small that the 1.25% is nothing in real dollars and she likes the advice and comfort her advisor gives her. Not everybody is a DIYer. Some people like having their own advisor to reach out to. We on BH tend to forget this and assume everybody thinks like we mostly do. I think she should keep it as is. Well, not the life insurance retirement nonsense but otherwise I'd stay with Ed. Just my two cents.
How will they get anywhere near their 7-10 million goal with this kind of respect for the money they have right now? The EJ rep will get to that milestone way earlier.
by Jimmie
Wed Jan 01, 2020 5:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can I retire part time? Age 36
Replies: 28
Views: 5055

Re: Can I retire part time? Age 36

mptfan wrote: Wed Jan 01, 2020 5:34 pm
AlohaJoe wrote: Sat Dec 28, 2019 8:28 am Working 15-30 hours a week doesn't sound like retirement to me.
I agree, that sounds like semantics. How is that different than continuing to work part time?
With all these details, I never realized until just now that I am fully retired about 130 days a year and 2/3 retired all of the other days. :D

Working 8 hours a day, 5 days a week with 5 weeks of vacation/holidays/sick days makes it sound like I have a job. :(
by Jimmie
Wed Jan 01, 2020 4:41 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can I retire part time? Age 36
Replies: 28
Views: 5055

Re: Can I retire part time? Age 36

vitaflo wrote: Wed Jan 01, 2020 3:59 pm So the real question is will a 1.3% SWR last ~50 years? I think most people would say yes (including me), yet everyone here is saying no.
Playing around in FireCALC, I find that the longer the time frame, the better the chances of not dropping below zero balance. It may sound counter-intuitive, but with a low withdrawal rate and sufficient starting balance, there is longer to recover in the event of a dip, even an extended dip. At least historically as FireCALC seems to work.
by Jimmie
Wed Jan 01, 2020 3:44 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Can I retire part time? Age 36
Replies: 28
Views: 5055

Re: Can I retire part time? Age 36

Wanderingwheelz wrote: Sat Dec 28, 2019 8:51 am Semantics.. work part-time, retire part-time.

At your age, with no dependents or home to pay for, you can do whatever you want with your work schedule, that is until you can’t. Hopefully your parents die before you need their money to continue on with your life of leisure.

As long as your health allows you to work, I’d put in some more time before entertaining the types of thoughts you are since what you described could leave you with long periods of reduced or no income.
Best reply on this thread and I agree with all your points, except the sentence "Hopefully your parents die before you need their money to continue on with your life of leisure." :shock: But, I understand what you meant.
by Jimmie
Wed Jan 01, 2020 10:43 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: OFFICIAL REGISTRATION FOR THE 2020 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST
Replies: 688
Views: 37072

Re: OFFICIAL REGISTRATION FOR THE 2020 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST

3505.39

And Taylor forgot to mention the Grand Prize: bragging rights.
by Jimmie
Wed Jan 01, 2020 9:51 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: [Announcement for upcoming 2020 Boglehead Contest]
Replies: 73
Views: 5408

Re: NOT OFFICIAL REGISTRATION

Taylor Larimore wrote: Wed Jan 01, 2020 9:37 am THIS IS NOT THE OFFICIAL 2020 BOGLEHEAD CONTEST REGISTRATION -- which will be announced soon.

If you posted a "guess" here it will not count. Be sure to post your "re-guess" in the official registration.

Best wishes.
Taylor
Can a moderator please lock this thread so the unofficial guesses stop?
by Jimmie
Tue Dec 31, 2019 10:52 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: trusting a financial advisor
Replies: 34
Views: 3289

Re: trusting a financial advisor

I have been fighting my dear GF's urge to see a FA for years now. In the last year or so, I moved all my remaining single stocks into mutual funds I already owned. She has her 403b in a target date fund. Pretty mainstream, conservative stuff. We have a straightforward plan in place for the future, yet she seems to think some stranger, who will get paid by us, will care more about our money than we will. The "trust" factor is another one of my doubts as well as any kind of AUM set-up. The good news is that I may win this argument. The point I have been making is that the one professional that will give us the most bang-for-the-buck will be an accountant and we have a trusted one available. With about two years until we retire, the ...
by Jimmie
Sat Dec 28, 2019 4:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [Golf] in Orlando
Replies: 18
Views: 1518

Re: Gold in Orlando

Or edit the title to "Mold in Orlando" and not get any responses. Ever. :D
by Jimmie
Sat Dec 28, 2019 7:43 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get cash from 100lbs of coin change?
Replies: 33
Views: 3428

Re: How to get cash from 100lbs of coin change?

SlowMovingInvestor wrote: Sat Dec 28, 2019 7:37 am The interesting thing is that CoinStar machines in Walmart sometimes don't have the Amazon GC option ! So avoid those.
I live in a decent-sized Cleveland suburb, coincidentally the city where the $370 MegaMillions ticket was recently sold. There are several CoinStar locations in town, but only one had the Amazon option. Sadly, most had some pretty limited options like Starbucks. Luckily, to go to the stores and see the options was not a big use of my time. CoinStar's website is not accurate as far as indicating which stores have which payout options.
by Jimmie
Sat Dec 28, 2019 7:30 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to get cash from 100lbs of coin change?
Replies: 33
Views: 3428

Re: How to get cash from 100lbs of coin change?

CoinStar and use the Amazon gift certificate option to avoid a fee. Google to find a nearby location and do the other customers a favor by going at an odd time. It will take time to feed those into the small hopper. Cash back will always cost a fee.
by Jimmie
Fri Dec 27, 2019 9:26 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard Website not Working Right
Replies: 54
Views: 9206

Re: Vanguard Website not Working Right

A reboot worked for me after I had the same problem. I use Chrome.
by Jimmie
Thu Dec 26, 2019 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Side hustles on H1B
Replies: 22
Views: 5423

Re: Side hustles on H1B

Nyc10036 wrote: Thu Dec 26, 2019 7:25 pm "getting screwed over" ?
how exactly?
The law is the law.
+1
by Jimmie
Thu Dec 26, 2019 10:53 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Passport renewal and 'passport card' (extra $30)
Replies: 36
Views: 1927

Re: Passport renewal and 'passport card' (extra $30)

I'm reading "redundancy" in some replies. How is it redundant if you can't use the card for air travel? Seems like the card is intended for Americans who live near a border or commute via land and/or truck drivers who cross the border often.
by Jimmie
Thu Dec 26, 2019 9:36 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Long Plane trip - 16 Hours to Shanghai
Replies: 67
Views: 7400

Re: Long Plane trip - 16 Hours to Shanghai

On a thirteen and a half hour flight from LA to Taipei, a gentleman sitting next to me who flies that route all the time gave me this tip: Try to acclimate your body to the local time of your destination. In other words, if you land at 7am local time and usually get up at 6am when at home, schedule your sleep time for late in the flight, not necessarily when you are tired.

That seemed to help me a lot with jet lag.
by Jimmie
Wed Dec 25, 2019 10:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AAA Batteries, retail vs. OEM difference?
Replies: 51
Views: 11600

Re: AAA Batteries, retail vs. OEM difference?

ClevrChico wrote: Tue Dec 24, 2019 5:09 pm Read the reviews for Amazon Basics 9 volt batteries. 12% of the reviews are one stars. It's pretty scary considering a common use are smoke detectors!
Most, if not all, smoke detectors chirp when the battery is low. That chirping alone would drive me nuts enough to buy the best batteries in the world.
by Jimmie
Wed Dec 25, 2019 9:44 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Vanguard gives projection of market 2020 on TV
Replies: 25
Views: 2885

Re: Vanguard gives projection of market 2020 on TV

If Vanguard was made up of all Bogleheads, they would only sell three funds. 8-)
by Jimmie
Wed Dec 25, 2019 9:41 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is a reasonable attorney fee for establishing a will/trust?
Replies: 27
Views: 4997

Re: What is a reasonable attorney fee for establishing a will/trust?

So interesting how it’s geography driven. Retired lawyer here. In our firm of 25 lawyers in a community of 250,000 in middle America we would typically charge $500 for two “ I love you” wills with trusts for minor children, powers of attorney for healthcare, and general durable powers of attorney. An I love you will is everything to my spouse, and if no spouse then equally to my children. For such a straightforward situation, these are not difficult from a drafting perspective with a good computer program and a capable and experienced legal assistant. As a data point, our lawyers were law review/ top of the class/ State bar association presidents, etc. so we weren’t just hanging up our shingles for business in a shopping mall The attorney ...
by Jimmie
Wed Dec 25, 2019 8:10 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: In or Near Retirement with Only Six Figures?
Replies: 126
Views: 19242

Re: In or Near Retirement with Only Six Figures?

Merry Christmas to all. I think the big picture is being missed when only net worth or amounts in investment accounts are debated. There is the other side of the equation: expenses. Obviously, if your expenses exceed your income, the numbers really don't matter. As others have mentioned, five, six, or even seven or eight figures do not ensure a stable retirement. Living within your means, whatever that is, is the most important factor. Some live well on $40,000 a year. Others on this forum seem to starve or at least worry about living on $150,000 a year. With the upcoming new year, I am making it a priority to track the expenses of my GF and myself. We plan to retire in 2-3 years, make good incomes now, max out 401k's and HSA's, but have be...
by Jimmie
Sun Dec 15, 2019 2:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Places to Go Out When You Don't Want to Spend Much or Any Money
Replies: 131
Views: 14341

Re: Places to Go Out When You Don't Want to Spend Much or Any Money

Go to several car dealerships and spend the day test driving cars. Dress up really well and go to expensive dealerships to drive exotic models.
by Jimmie
Sun Dec 15, 2019 2:15 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Flaunt Your High-Mileage Car
Replies: 945
Views: 151227

Re: Flaunt Your High-Mileage Car

1983 Datsun 280ZX with 250,000+ miles bought new and driven until 1994.
1999 VW Jetta with 240,000+ miles bought new and driven until 2013.
by Jimmie
Thu Dec 12, 2019 6:04 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Huge electricity usage spike
Replies: 64
Views: 5532

Re: Huge electricity usage spike

Are your brother's bills "actual" usage or are at least either last month or this month's bills "estimated"? Or is the high bill the bill for adjustment for a budget billing cycle?

Any of these can cause wild fluctuations month-to-month.
by Jimmie
Thu Dec 12, 2019 4:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Looking to replace original sliding patio door
Replies: 20
Views: 2249

Re: Looking to replace original sliding patio door

We did extensive research when we replaced ours and bought Pella. Dear GF wanted the built-in shades which I think is patented by Pella. Our research revealed reviews from people that got burned by installers being blamed by manufacturers and manufacturers being blamed by installers. Best decision we ever made was to have Pella install our Pella door. There were problems and Pella had no one to blame but Pella. We had all kinds of "white shirts" out to our house to hear our complaints. Ultimately, the entire door was replaced due to the frame and trim of the door being hammered in place by the first crew of installers. Looked like a used door when it was first installed. This was not a cheap door and we weren't going to settle wit...
by Jimmie
Fri Nov 22, 2019 4:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Blenders Not Hard to Take Apart
Replies: 6
Views: 649

Re: Blenders Not Hard to Take Apart

I have several small appliances that have lasted a long time, so I personally wouldn't flinch at spending >$30 on a blender. You get what you pay for.

As far as ease of cleaning, why not visit a store and experiment taking the floor model apart? If the bottom ring is tough to get off, mostly due to loss of strength that we all experience as old age sets in, why not keep a strap wrench handy? I use one for many things, like opening jars, that I could easily open ten years ago but now struggle with.
by Jimmie
Tue Sep 17, 2019 2:32 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Butcher Box
Replies: 26
Views: 5085

Re: Butcher Box

Do you already spend $150 a month on beef? If not, this "discount" price is still just a way to spend more money. These subscription boxes are a total mystery to me. My wife's friend gets ones for make-up, clothing, and fitness-related snacks; they send you a box of random stuff which you probably don't want and you pay like twice the retail price. And it's a hassle to end the subscription. How is this a thing? +1 Couldn't agree more. With online shopping, you can purchase any item out of billions of items available and have it on your doorstep in two days at the lowest price without changing out of your pajamas. And if you don't have pajamas, buy them online and have any style in any size or color and have them on your doorstep ...
by Jimmie
Tue Sep 17, 2019 2:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Leaf Blower?
Replies: 70
Views: 6875

Re: Best Leaf Blower?

DanMahowny wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2019 1:55 pm I keep an electric blower in my golf cart. I use it to blow the leaves out of my line before I putt (Oct-Dec).
And a chainsaw for those pesky trees you hit behind? :D
by Jimmie
Tue Sep 17, 2019 1:17 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: What else can I be doing to maximize investments?
Replies: 5
Views: 1164

Re: What else can I be doing to maximize investments?

Why is contributing to your HSA on hold waiting for your kids to be older?

If I could do one, I would. My GF is jumping all over hers.
by Jimmie
Tue Sep 17, 2019 1:14 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401-K versus Social Security
Replies: 26
Views: 2613

Re: 401-K versus Social Security

delamer wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2019 1:01 pmYou don’t need to find a posthumous post. You could ask if anyone already has lived long enough to reap the benefits of delaying SS. Or lived long enough to determine that they should have delayed but didn’t.
My post was mostly tongue-in-check. I would think most people do the research, make a decision based on that research, and live their life under those constraints.

I know a lot of 2-pack-a-day, overweight, construction workers that file for SS benefits at 62 without hesitation. I have never heard any regret from them about their decision. Most of them think they may not make it until tomorrow and sadly, some don't. Filing at 70 does not even cross their mind.
by Jimmie
Tue Sep 17, 2019 12:56 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 401-K versus Social Security
Replies: 26
Views: 2613

Re: 401-K versus Social Security

All good posts with informative strategies from several knowledgeable Bogleheads. I have visited the Open Social Security website several times and looked at various scenarios. Since I am single and so is my GF (for many reasons), the SS filing scenarios are much simpler. The problem is that no Boglehead that I can find has made any posthumous post stating whether their ultimate SS filing date decision was worth it or not. Seriously, I am in better than average health and relatives have shown above average longevity on both sides of my parents' family. Although I could get run over by a truck today, my excepted use of the calculator is with the "2017 CSO Non-smoker Preferred" mortality table option. I estimate living to my late 80...
by Jimmie
Mon Sep 16, 2019 4:05 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Dog Car?
Replies: 70
Views: 6319

Re: Best Dog Car?

longterm100 wrote: Wed Sep 11, 2019 7:23 pm For two large dogs I get a lot of use out of a landrover LR4. Rugged but has some luxury features.
It's important to be some kind of Rover. The thread is about dogs.
by Jimmie
Mon Sep 16, 2019 3:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Anyonw driving Uber for fun and pocket money in retirement?
Replies: 111
Views: 14648

Re: Anyonw driving Uber for fun and pocket money in retirement?

Dinosaur Dad wrote: Mon Aug 19, 2019 3:27 pm post script: out of interest I called one well-known car insurance provider..once you're an Uber driver you are instantly a "commercial" driver and your policy costs quadruple (in my case). Yikes. But you're taking a huge risk without the right insurance.
For fun, I checked with my insurance carrier to see what ride-share insurance would add to what I currently have. The great coverage I get for $32/month increases by $100/month. I'd rather be a golf course starter should I yearn to work in retirement.
by Jimmie
Mon Sep 16, 2019 1:57 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Water alarm just saved me a lot of $$$. Do you have them?
Replies: 62
Views: 8704

Re: Water alarm just saved me a lot of $$$. Do you have them?

Using my electrical engineering background and a few hundred bucks, mostly for the sensors, I designed and built a home-grown version of the Watercop. I use fifteen Insteon leak detectors around the house where there is water: toilets, dishwasher, washer, sinks, water heater, etc. These are programmed to send text alerts to my cell phone AND trip a relay module on my home automation system. The relay module operates two motorized valves. One valves shuts off the main water supply. Using a timer, after a short time delay to ensure the main water valve is closed, another valve downstream from the main water valve opens to drain any "trapped" water in the system into the basement sump. The "drain to sump" feature is huge be...
by Jimmie
Tue Mar 05, 2019 10:31 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Median net worth of Bogleheads?
Replies: 17
Views: 5529

Re: Median net worth of Bogleheads?

I would think median, not average, would be fairly low - not anywhere close to a million and the previous surveys indicate this.

With 20/20 hindsight and based on the posts, it would not be a far stretch for those who post and reply here to fall into one of two categories:
  • Seeking advice - starting out, perhaps young, perhaps in debt
  • Giving advice - "staying the course", perhaps older, perhaps financially independent
by Jimmie
Tue Mar 05, 2019 7:32 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Start Social Security at year end, or in new year?
Replies: 27
Views: 2617

Re: Start Social Security at year end, or in new year?

I get tired of hearing the noise that you only have three options: 62, FRA, and 70. Where did you hear that noise? You might wish to change your sources of Social Security information. Often, the "noise" is right here. :twisted: What I meant by my rant was that few financial articles address that there are choices other than 62, FRA, and 70. This represents incomplete information and/or advice. I already know that the SSA website has a calculator so you can dial in whatever parameters to model how your potential benefit may change. This includes income changes that may occur before you file since the website assumes you will finish your career making last year's reported income. Does the average person approaching retirement know...
by Jimmie
Mon Mar 04, 2019 9:47 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Start Social Security at year end, or in new year?
Replies: 27
Views: 2617

Re: Start Social Security at year end, or in new year?

theac wrote: Mon Mar 04, 2019 9:42 pm
David Jay wrote: Mon Mar 04, 2019 11:24 am
willthrill81 wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2019 9:56 pmYes, your SS benefit will grow at 8% per year that you defer benefits ...
A quick reminder (we tend to talk in “years”) that strictly speaking your benefit goes up 8/12 of 1% every single month that your delay filing.
Yes, that's what's nice about reaching 62. If you don't take it then for whatever reason, you have the option to take it "anytime." If suddenly a need for the extra income arises you can file that day, and in a month have the checks coming.
Thank you. I get tired of hearing the noise that you only have three options: 62, FRA, and 70. You can take SS at any age that is most advantageous to YOUR situation.
by Jimmie
Sun Mar 03, 2019 9:32 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacement vinyl windows
Replies: 14
Views: 1906

Re: Replacement vinyl windows

We replaced our low quality big box store windows with Pella windows and we love them. Mind you these aren’t the Pella windows you can order from a big box store they were ordered from a Pella showroom. The quality difference between the Pella showroom window and the Pella big box store window is amazing. Try the showroom. Ditto on our patio door. My GF wanted the interior shades which I believe is patented by Pella. We paid for the Pella installation and good thing we did. They tried to rush the installation on a cold Thanksgiving weekend. Screwed up everything: dented trim, scratched the frame, door would not slide right. In the spring, we escalated it to regional management for resolution and they stood behind it. We had all kinds of wh...
by Jimmie
Sun Mar 03, 2019 8:31 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacement vinyl windows
Replies: 14
Views: 1906

Re: Replacement vinyl windows

dpm321 wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2019 8:17 am Usually, at least in my experience, the big box stores will special order "higher quality" SKUs from manufacturers they carry.
At that point, it is easier to just order it directly yourself.

Another consideration is installation. Reading reviews of windows, you will often see disappointed customers who explain how the window company did not stand behind a problem due to incorrect installation. I always pay the premium for an installer recommended by the dealer to avoid finger-pointing and hassle. It's worth the extra money.
by Jimmie
Sat Mar 02, 2019 9:00 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacement vinyl windows
Replies: 14
Views: 1906

Re: Replacement vinyl windows

Nothing wrong with the "big box" manufacturers Pella and Anderson. The problem is that the big box stores only carry what will sell better to the average customer. My GF and I bought a high-end Pella patio door, but what the big box stores had was only low-end.

We want to replace some windows and are finding the same thing. Consequently, we won't bother going to the big box stores, only design centers and independent showrooms. Your post doesn't indicate if your budget will allow that.
by Jimmie
Sat Mar 02, 2019 6:44 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Tired of gas grills rusting out...
Replies: 120
Views: 25912

Re: Tired of gas grills rusting out...

To those mentioning moisture build-up under the cover. I don't believe that wetness is from water produced as the byproduct of combustion. The grill is so darn hot, any moisture is being dissipated.

I think the moisture comes later, after the grilling is done, from condensation on the metal, particularly on cold nights.

Just my theory.